| Originally a small fishing village, the city | | | | the Museum Sint-Pieterstoren, the Museum of |
| of Oostende received its city charter in the | | | | Religious Arts, the North Sea Aquarium and |
| 13th century and now has a population of | | | | the Schooner Mercator which is a former |
| 91,000 people, the largest population on the | | | | Merchant Navy training ship now restored as a |
| Belgian coast. Set half way along the 40 mile | | | | nautical museum. James Ensor House is where |
| Belgian coastline, it became popular as a | | | | the famous impressionist painter lived. |
| resort in the 19th century, when Kings | | | | |
| Leopold I and II spent their summers there. | | | | One of the most popular places for families |
| During World War II the city was badly | | | | with children is the Maria Hendrika Park. |
| bombed. | | | | Here you will find minigolf, rowing and pedal |
| | | | boats, playgrounds and woodland walks. |
| The city is protected from the North Sea by a | | | | Refreshments are available at the café. |
| series of large dikes built in the late 14th | | | | |
| century. However, the city often fell victim | | | | You can also take a horse-drawn carriage tour |
| to invading armies. Its importance as a | | | | around the city, where you will be shown the |
| harbour rose in the 18th and 19th centuries, | | | | interesting sights of the city. |
| and a railway link to Brussels was built in | | | | |
| 1838. In 1846 it became a transit harbour to | | | | Food & Drink: |
| England, sending its first ferry boat to | | | | |
| Dover. Today, hundreds of passengers travel | | | | Whatever kind of food or restaurant you are |
| between Oostende and England in a space of | | | | looking for you are likely to find it here. |
| just two hours, which makes it a good weekend | | | | Oostende has plenty of restaurants, cafes, |
| resort for British travellers. | | | | bars and taverns both within its lively city |
| | | | centre, and along the promenade. Wherever you |
| Named 'The Queen of the Belgian sea-side | | | | go, you will find kiosks selling mussels, |
| Resorts, Oostende boasts a long and sandy | | | | fresh fish restaurants, and the ice cream is |
| beach and is a popular beach resort for | | | | not to be missed. |
| locals as well as visitors to Belgium, many | | | | |
| of whom come to surf and sail. The old town | | | | There are several bars selling real ale, |
| and fishing harbour are popular attractions, | | | | including the Café Botteltje and the |
| and Oostende has much to offer in the way of | | | | Ostens Bierhuus. Oostende also has a |
| shopping, eating and entertainment. | | | | selection of English style pubs. |
| | | | |
| Places of interest: | | | | One of the most popular restaurants in the |
| | | | city is the James Tavern in James Ensor |
| The twin-towered church of St Peter & Saint | | | | Galerij 34, off Vlaanderenstraat. In its |
| Paul, close to the railway station, is a | | | | friendly atmosphere, you can sample a wide |
| neo-gothic building built of sandstone in | | | | range of local cuisine, including their |
| 1904-5. It houses the mausoleum of Queen | | | | specialty, garnaalkroketten, or shrimp |
| Louise-Marie, Belgium's first Queen, who died | | | | croquettes. |
| in 1850 in Oostende. | | | | |
| | | | Of course, Oostende's best-loved food is |
| The 'Fort Napoleon', north of the city | | | | fresh fish, and you do not have to look too |
| centre, is the only Napoleonic fortress still | | | | far to find a wide choice of places |
| intact in the whole of Europe. Built by | | | | specialising in seafood. One of the best fish |
| Napoleon during the French occupation in 1810 | | | | restaurants is the Old Fisher on the |
| and completed in 1812, it housed 260 | | | | Fisherman's Wharf. This has a relaxed but |
| soldiers. In the Second World War it was used | | | | elegant atmosphere where you can sample a |
| as a German barracks. | | | | wide range of local fresh fish dishes. |
| | | | Another fish restaurant is the David Dewaele, |
| Between Oostende and Middelkerke, near the | | | | a family-run restaurant serving French |
| beach, lies a large group of dunes known as | | | | cuisine and fish fresh from the North Sea. |
| the 'Raversijde Domain', which is a natural | | | | |
| nature reserve. Here also is the | | | | Hotels & Accommodation |
| 'Atlantikwall', a complex of tunnels and | | | | |
| bunkers built by occupying German troops in | | | | Alpha Hotel |
| the First and Second World Wars. Nearby is | | | | |
| also an archaeological site of a medieval | | | | Hotel Ter Kade |
| fishing village from 13th to 15th centuries. | | | | |
| | | | Royal Astrid |
| For garden lovers, the Japanese Garden in the | | | | |
| Koningspark is worth a visit and can be found | | | | Hotel Princess |
| opposite the swimming baths, near the sea | | | | |
| wall. | | | | Hotel Burlington |
| | | | |
| Things to do: | | | | Ambassadeur |
| | | | |
| A walk along the splendidly clean and | | | | Entertainment: |
| unspoilt beach, with a swim or paddle in the | | | | |
| sea, is one of Oostende's pleasantest | | | | If you are seeking the local nightlife, the |
| activities, but there are plenty of further | | | | first place to head for is Langestraat where |
| activities in the centre and close to | | | | you will find cabarets, night clubs and bars, |
| Oostende. | | | | as well as the famous Kursaal Oostende, one |
| | | | of the largest casinos in Europe. The casino |
| Oostende has several shopping centres, | | | | contains gaming rooms, a concert hall where |
| including the traffic-free Kappellestraat, | | | | you can regularly hear concerts, operettas |
| Adolf Buylstraat and Witte Nonnestraat. Also, | | | | and ballet, disco, rooftop restaurant and |
| at the Alfons Pieterslaan and the | | | | gaming rooms. |
| Torhoutsesteenweg you can shop all year | | | | |
| round. Market day in Oostende is on Thursdays | | | | Many of the bars and pubs offer live |
| on the Wapenplein, Groentemarkt and | | | | performances, including jazz, blues or |
| Mijnplein. | | | | contemporary music. There are English pubs, |
| | | | at least one Irish pub, and, of course, good |
| For those interested in history and culture, | | | | strong beer. |
| Oostende has several museums and galleries to | | | | |
| visit. The Museum of Local History holds | | | | Between May and September is the racing |
| collections from the Neolithic and Roman | | | | season and anyone interested in the sport |
| times, a maritime section and sections on the | | | | must take a trip to Wellington Racecourse. |
| two world wars. The Museum of Fine Arts holds | | | | |
| works from the Belgian Masters, and at the | | | | Every year in the first week in March, |
| Museum of Modern Art you can see a wide range | | | | Oostende holds a carnival with a different |
| of paintings, sculptures and objects from | | | | theme each time and in October there is the |
| Belgium's recent history. Other places are | | | | annual fun-fair. |